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Patrick receives resignation of state prison chief

Associated Press,

Posted:
07/25/2014 09:18:22 AM EDT

Updated:
07/25/2014 09:18:22 AM EDT

BOSTON (AP) -- Gov. Deval Patrick has received the resignation of state prison chief Luis Spencer.

The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Patrick had asked for the resignation after Spencer delayed an internal investigation into the alleged physical abuse of a mental health patient at Bridgewater State Hospital.

The prison was already under fire for lapses while investigating another patient’s death.

According to the Globe, Public Safety Secretary Andrea Cabral said that the decision to seek Spencer’s resignation was based in part because he slowed down the internal affairs probe.

Cabral said that underscored questions about Spencer’s "critical thinking and judgment" during his three-year tenure.

Earlier this year, Patrick reprimanded Spencer for inaction in the wake of the 2009 death of another Bridgewater patient, Joshua Messier, which was ruled a homicide.

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